World War II Honoree

Leonard Townsend Gerow

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Petersburg, Virginia

Honored By

Pearl Thomas

Served as Commanding General of the 29th Infantry Division until July 1943. He then became commander of the V Corps. This was the largest unit of troops in the European Theater of Operations. He was the first corps commander ashore on D-Day and continued in command through the Battle of Normandy. He was the first American officer of the rank of major general to enter Paris after its liberation by the French 2nd Armored Division and the U.S. 4th Infantry Division. After the war, he was appointed Commandant of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff School. Received Silver Star and the Legion of Merit.